Sports Drinks and Your Oral Health

It’s undeniable that sports drinks are extremely popular. But while you are sipping on them, your teeth are getting weaker and weaker. Dental professionals are becoming concerned about the long-term effects of sports drinks and other sugary and acidic beverages.

Sports drinks contain acids and sugars, which can make your precious teeth vulnerable to tooth decay and erosion. The good news is that there are things you can do to protect your smile from future oral health diseases caused by frequent consumption of these types of beverages.

Sports Drinks According to Studies

A number of studies have shown that sports drinks are more corrosive to teeth than energy drinks and sodas. Researchers have found that the high acid and sugar content found in sports drinks can erode the tooth enamel and roots of the teeth.

In one study, teeth were continuously exposed to acidic and sugary beverages such as sports drinks, energy drinks, sodas, diet colas, and apple juice for more than 25 hours. The result showed that sports drinks were the most destructive to both the enamel and the roots of teeth. The next corrosive drinks were soda and energy drinks. On the other hand, apple juice and diet colas were the least corrosive among the group.

For many researchers, sports drinks are the main cause for enamel erosion. Athletes are the most common consumers of these beverages. Unfortunately, sports drinks are also popular with teens. Frequent consumption of sports drinks can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and enamel erosion. So, before you take another sip, think of your smile and health first.

How To Minimise the Damage to your Teeth

First, cut down the amount of sports drinks you consume. A good way to do that is to replace these types of beverages with water. High sugar drinks are not only detrimental to your teeth, but they can also cause diabetes and obesity. Keep in this in mind before taking another drink.

Avoid holding or swishing the drink in your mouth. If you drink, use a straw to reduce contact with your teeth, and don’t take too long to finish them. After drinking, rinse with water. But don’t brush your teeth immediately as this will increase the erosion of your tooth enamel, which has been weakened by the sugar and acid.

Reduce the number of times you drink acidic beverages in a day. If you are thirsty, drink water instead. Sports and energy drinks are not at all essential for regular sporting activities. Drinking plenty of water is healthier for your body while keeping you hydrated all day.

Keep your teeth clean and healthy by using the proper oral hygiene tools such as floss and a soft toothbrush. Talk to your dentist about how you can improve your dental care and oral health.

Always Keep Your Teeth Strong and Healthy

It’s a good idea to visit your dental team regularly as they have the skills, knowledge, and equipment to address any oral health problems as soon as they arise. If drinking sports drinks and other acidic beverages tends to be part of your lifestyle, your Toorak dentist at Simply Smiles Dental can educate you about your oral health and provide necessary measures to minimise the damage and long-term effects of sports drinks. Our comprehensive examination allows us to know your present state of dental health before any issues can develop.

We are located in the Toorak Village, in the heart of Toorak and serve patients from Toorak, South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Southbank, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Malvern, Albert Park, Melbourne CBD, and from all Melbourne metro areas.

We are Medibank Members Choice Dentist and HCF Members Choice Dentist.